[nutshellml]

So we are planning a remodel on our kitchen/living/dining room. Basically opening up some walls and raising the ceiling. We are going to hire an architect to determine how/if we can open the wall and raise the ceiling and how much. So we had two architects come over and briefly look at the area. One said, basically "yes no problem we can remove the wall and tray the ceiling" the other said, in short "we would have to put a post of some kind, but can open it to some degree". I felt that both were qualified and knowledgeable.

So my question - Should any/all architects that come to look at the area ultimately have the same general opinion on whether the wall can or can't be totally opened? I realize they'll differ in other design areas, but the general question posed, I should receive the same general answer, correct?

 

[ZZZZZ]

How old is your house? Is it "standard construction" or a complicated custom design?

I would guess that the two architects are making different assumptions about what the structure looks like behind the walls, and/or above and below the walls.

Maybe they would come to the same conclusion after the walls are opened up and they can see what's what.

 

[nutshellml]

How old is your house? Is it "standard construction" or a complicated custom design?

It's a 1950's standard Split. Nothing complicated/custom. I'm hoping your statement about once the walls are open they would come to same conclusion, but in the "selection" process for an architect, we prefer to go with the one that said a post will be required, but are hesitant since the other architect (and also some General Contractor's that came by) said the wall CAN be completely opened.

 

[Daniel Holzman]

An engineer might be a better choice, not all architects are trained in structural evaluation. That said, it is almost always possible to remove any interior load bearing wall, it is almost always a question of money. The amount of money it will cost is a function of how large a header, what type of posts to support, and how complex the removal process is.